Three bishops will this week lead calls for the Church of England to make a public statement standing up for the right of Christians to wear a cross.

Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith issues appeal to peers and bishops not to block his proposals.

Welfare rebellion puts focus on law-making role for church men

Lord Carey entered the dispute over welfare reform by attacking the five bishops who opposed the Government's £26,000 benefit cap.

Former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey criticises Church of England bishops who opposed the government's cap on benefits in the House of Lords.

Despite escaping one major ambush, Lord Freud cannot have been looking forward to Amendment 59, moved by the Bishop of Ripon and Leeds. A short amendment; Clause 94, page 63, line 25, after “benefits” insert “with the exclusion of child benefit” it addressed issues of child poverty, as the Bishop noted, The Government’s assessment of

Coalition ministers have insisted they will press ahead with a £26,000-per-household cap on benefits despite defeat inflicted in the Lords last night by Church of England bishops.

The bishops haven't acknowledged that welfare dependency is deeply dehumanising, says Ruth Porter.

Work and Pensions Secretary is confident his welfare reform Bill will make it through the House of Lords despite opposition from Church of England bishops and rebel Liberal Democrats.

Iain Duncan Smith insists welfare reform plans are not designed to "punish" as he issues appeal to peers and bishops not to block his proposals.